Squeezing device for collapsible tube



Oct'. 21, 1958 v. c. HALL 2,357,079

' SQUEEZING DEVICE FOR, COLLAPSIBLE TUBE "Filed-Nov. 29, 19s5' v INVEN TOR.

VICTOR G. HALL ATTORNEY llnited States Patent SQUEEZING DEVICE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBE Victor C. Hall, Media, Pa., assignor to Merck & Co., Inc., Railway, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application November 29, 1955, Serial No. 549,683

3 Claims. (Cl. 222-103) This invention relates to devices for squeezing collapsible tubes and more particularly to a device which may be manually manipulated to express all of the contents of a collapsible tube.

The collapsible tubes with which the invention is concerned may contain a variety of substances. This may be tooth paste, pharmaceutical ointments of various kinds, glue, or other extrudable materials.

To expel the contents of these tubes, they ordinarily are squeezed by hand or rolled up onto themselves from the end opposite to the discharge nozzle. Clamping or squeezing devices have been devised to facilitate the expulsion of the tube contents, but they have generally been so complex in structure that they have not had readyv public acceptance. Squeezing devices of a somewhat simple construction have heretofore been devised, but they have had the disadvantage that the tube has not been held in place during the squeezing action. As a consequence, the tubes have slipped within or even out of the squeezing device with the result that the contents has not been expelled.

The collapsible tube squeezing device of the present invention serves to retain the tube in position While its contents is expelled. Furthermore, with the use of the device, all or practically all of the contents is expelled. This is especially important for pharmaceutical preparations when it is important that the entire contents be expressed so as to deliver the required dosage amount.

The accompanying drawings illustrate two embodiments of the invention. In these drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of a preferred form of the device showing a collapsible tube therein in dotted lines,

Figure 2 is a view of the under side of the device, its elements being spread out in flat position,

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 1, the device being collapsed,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modification of the invention, and

Figure 5 is a sectional View through the upper portion of the device of Figure 4 on the line 55.

A representative collapsible tube with which the invention is concerned is generally indicated at 10. The closed end 11 is generally crimped on itself to seal the contents against escape. The discharge end 12 is generally of relatively rigid or firm construction so that it is not readily deformable. This relatively rigidend 12 has a discharge opening therethrough, and as here shown this is provided by an elongated nozzle 13.

The side wall of the container may be of any yieldable or pliable material and this may, for example, be a plastic substance or a deformable metal such as thin lead or tin. So far as the present invention is concerned, the side walls need merely be collapsible so that the contents can be readily expelled.

The device illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 includes a central element or head 15 and hingedly attached squeezing elements or clamps 16 and 17. The head 15 may be end of the collapsible tube.

r 2,857,079 Patented Oct. 21, 1958 I pins 19. The hinge pins 19, in the structure illustrated,

are integral extensions of the clampsl6 and 17, butthey may be separate pins. M

As has been noted, any conventional hingearrangement may be utilized for the depending lug and integral pin construction which is illustrated.

As an important feature of the invention the clamps 16 and 17 have depressions 20 and 21 therein, adjacent to their hinged attachment. These depressions extend oppositely from each other so that they conjointly form a receiving chamber or partial enclosure for the nozzle When the clamps 16 and 17 are separated from each other in the position shown in Figure 1, these depressions 20 and 21 make it possible to place the rigid end 12 of the collapsible tube against the head element 15.

Due to the presence of the depressions 20 and 21,

shoulders 22 and 23 are formed on the clamp 16 and shoulders 24 and 25 are formed on the clamp 17. These shoulders constitue important features of the present invention because they serve to grip the collapsible tube and prevent its displacement or rearward slippage out of the device. These shoulders 22, 23, 24, and 25 engage behind the relatively rigid end 12 of the collapsible tube and urge the tube forcibly against the head 15 so that the tube cannot become dislodged.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a modification of the device which is integral in its construction. It may, for example, be made of relatively firm rubber, but it should be so yieldable that the oppositely disposed clamping elements 30 and 31 may be forced against each other to exert a squeezing action on the collapsible tube. The necessary yielding or flexible movement of the device may, for example, be due to the flexibility of the central or head portion 32. This flexibility results in part from the presence of orifice 33.

To stifien the clamping elements 30 and 31, they may be provided with reinforcing ribs 34 but it is apparent that they may be of thicker structure throughout. All that is desired is that these clamping elements be sufliciently firm so as to be relatively inflexible and thereby press on the entire length of the collapsible tube.

The modification of Figures 4 and 5 contains recesses 35 and 36 to receive the collapsible tube. These recesses result in the formation of shoulders 37 and 38 which serve to grip the collapsible tube behind the relatively rigid end 12 thereof. This serves to prevent rearward displacement of the tube and to urge it against the head 32 of the device.

It will be observed that both embodiments of the invention include a head portion and oppositely disposed clamping portions which are flexibly connected thereto. In one case this flexibility is provided by a hinged articulation and in the other it is provided by the yieldability of the material itself in the head portion.

In using either device, the collapsible tube is inserted in position against the head with the discharge nozzle of the tube projecting through the opening of the head. By simply pressing the clamping elements forcibly toward each other, the contents of the collapsible tube is readily expelled. Substantially all of the contents is expressed due to the clamping action of the opposite elements.

In both devices the shoulders on the inner faces of the clamping elements engage the collapsible tube behind the rigid end of thetube and 'urgelthe tube against the 5 head end ofthe device. These shoulders, progressively bite-into the side wall of the collapsible, tube, as the concontents is being expelled, to thereby even more firmly hold the tube against displacement. The rearward" slippage of'the tube out of the device as pressure is exerted 10 on the tube, is consequently prevented;

What is claimed is:

1. A squeezing device for collapsible-tubes which comprises a head portion and oppositely disposed clamp portions movably connected thereto,. said head portion 15 having an opening tlierethrough to adinit the discharge nozzle of a collapsible tube, and each-of said clamp por- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,654,549 Mohun Ian. 3, 1928 

